Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to leaving past memories behind so they can progress or continue in life.

Usage: E.g. 被分手嘅大家係點move on? (How does everyone move on from a breakup?)

Synonym: 繼續前行

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2705628/page/6

Definition: Often added with a ‘lor’ (囉) denoting a tone of reluctance, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to say sorry or apologize to someone.

Usage: E.g. Ａ： 喂，你踩到我隻腳喎！Ｂ：SOR囉。(A: Hey, you stepped on my foot! B: SOR LOR.)

Synonym: 對唔住，sorry

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DScomA6EVMW/?img_index=1&igsh=MWNwaWNrd2tkM3JtYg== (use mobile version)

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a physical position that a person arranges and fixates in order to be photographed, which is often more difficult that it seems.

Usage: E.g. 自拍唔洗愁擺pose！10大熱門韓星IG影相手勢整理 (No need to worry about posing for selfies anymore! Here is a compilation of top 10 popular Korean stars IG photo gestures)

Synonym: 姿势

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/60213634/自拍唔洗愁擺pose-10大熱門韓星ig影相手勢整理-跟住影相零失誤

Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to call the minibus driver to stop at the next bus stop. (有落)

Usage: E.g. Mm goi yau lok! (唔該，有落)

Synonym: 有落

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by foreigners when they come across a local Hong Konger who thinks they know how to speak Cantonese. Literal meaning: I don't know how to speak Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. Foreigner: Mm goi sai! Dor jeh! Hong Konger: Wow, your Cantonese is so good! Foreigner: Ngo mm sik gong gwong dong wa.

Synonym: 我唔識講廣東話

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to the initial notification sent by a university presenting an acceptance of an applicant for a course, often provided that the applicant fulfills a number of conditions and the payment as well.

Usage: E.g. A: 大學出左offer比你未？ B: 收到同接受左喇，但係仲未正式取錄。(A: Have you received the offer from university yet? B: I received it and accepted it, but the admission is not officially confirmed yet.)

Synonym: 取錄, 錄取通知

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2632592/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term often used by working class Hong Kongers to indicate the purpose of a product, in order to pitch and sell it to a customer.

Usage: E.g. 呢個app係for你地客戶用架，令到你地方便好多。 E.g. 呢樣產品係for女士用架，尤其係貪靚嗰D。

Reference: https://cantowords.com/dictionary/for#w100337

Definition: Pronounced with a rising intonation on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to doing something at exactly the right time, such as a love relationship.

Usage: E.g. 其實愛情都幾講timing。有時要搵啱個timing先可以喺埋一齊。

Synonym: 時機

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/60469/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by Hong Kong KOL Janice (janicewanwan) who is known for playing "Jayden’s mother" to emphasize the correctness of her teachings as a typical modern mom, which she says must be correct.

Usage: E.g. 中英夾雜有助 children 盡快 pick up English。Mommy told you 嘅一定是 correct 的. (Chinese-English code-mixing aids children in picking up English more quickly. Whatever Mommy told you must be correct.)

Synonym: 媽媽告訴你

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60339385/jayden之亂-中英夾雜潮文橫掃社交平台-諷刺港媽真實育兒方式?utm_campaign=native&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01webshare#google_vignette

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to avoid seeming as if you have almost forgotten to mention something.

Usage: E.g. By the way, 你可唔可以幫我搞掂埋呢份proposal? E.g. By the way, 你今晚幾時得閒呀?

Synonym: 順便講